Celebrating a Catholic Funeral
Lord for those who believe in your love death is not the end
The death of a Christian is not the end of life, but rather a
transformation in an onward journey towards eternal life with God. We
believe that this call to eternal life begins for all Christians in the
waters of baptism. Nevertheless for those family and friends who are
bereaved there is sadness in parting, and death when it comes, even when
it has been expected, such as after a long illness, always leaves a sense
of loss and shock. The Catholic Church has over many centuries developed
a rich tradition in its liturgy for funerals. This liturgy seeks to balance
the need to console those who are mourning with the hope in the person of
Christ who is our “life and our resurrection”. The Catholic funeral rites
commend the deceased to the mercy of God, and as we give thanks to God for
the life of a Christian we pray that God may forgive whatever sins the
deceased may have committed through human weakness.
By a series of services the Order of Christian Funerals - the book
we use at funerals- provides a means by which with prayer the local church
community may support the personal grief of a family from the time of the
death of a loved one to the final committal at the graveside by a series of
services. Some of these prayers are celebrated in the intimacy of the home,
while others are intended as public worship in a church. The funeral rites
thus present a balance between sharing with the personal grief of the family
and the celebration of the public liturgy of the Church.
The ties of friendship and affection do not unravel with death
In Ireland there is a strong tradition of “the wake” which presents
an occasion when friends of the bereaved family can extend consolation and
sympathy. This time offers an opportunity when personal reminiscences of
the deceased can be shared on a more intimate level, and the interests and
associations that the deceased shared in his or her life with others can be
recalled. During this time it is important that the priest who will preside
at the funeral meets with the family and prepares with them the liturgy of
the Funeral Mass.
The Vigil for the deceased is envisaged as the principal rite celebrated
by the Christian community in the time following death and before the funeral
liturgy. The Vigil is centred on a liturgy of the Word. This will include
prayers and may also provide an opportunity for a member of the family to
speak in remembrance of the deceased.
The Reception of the Body in the Church signifies the transition from
the expression of the personal grief of the family in the home to the public
expression of the local parish community in the liturgy. It is also the first
step of returning to God the person that has been loved. This service of reception
often takes place on the eve of the Funeral Mass, thus providing the possibility
for mourners to be present with the family at this time who will be unable to
be with them at the Funeral Mass.
In baptism they died with Christ
The prayers and symbols used at this reception recall the dignity of
each Christian given to them by their baptism. The coffin is sprinkled with
Holy Water as a remembrance that in the waters of baptism Christians receive
the pledge of eternal life. The coffin is covered with a funeral pall to recall
that on the day of their baptism a Christian is wrapped in a white robe as a
child of God. The coffin is placed before the Paschal candle, symbolising Christ’s
undying presence, and his victory over death by his resurrection. Other Christian
symbols such as a Cross or the Book of the Gospels may also be placed on the
coffin at this time. These symbols are clear signs of the dignity of the
baptised Christian. The family may also wish to carry with them other emblems,
which reflect the deceased’s interests or personality. These should be treated
with respect on the understanding that they do not conflict with the Christian
symbols that are used in the ceremony. A place should be provided for them either
near the coffin or the family, but they should nor displace the Christian symbols
representing the baptismal calling of the deceased. In many parishes in Ireland
the use of the pall has become the norm and this should be respected. Reasons of
social distinction do not justify its omission.
Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord
The Funeral Mass is the central liturgical celebration for the deceased.
The prayers of this Mass commend the deceased to the mercy of God and offer
consolation and hope to the bereaved. As the Mass is the central act of the
Church’s liturgy it is an act of worship of God by the Church, therefore the
text of the Roman Missal should be used.
The Word of the Lord
A variety of suitable readings are offered from both the Old and New
Testaments for the Funeral Mass. It is essential that these readings should
be read clearly and with sensitivity. A member of the family or family friend
may undertake these readings, however pressure should not be placed on anyone
to read, particularly if they are not regular readers at Mass. If required, a
parish reader should be available to undertake this ministry. The readings are
taken from the sacred scriptures and may not be replaced by secular readings.
Reflections taken from Christian literature may be used if required at a later
stage in the Funeral Mass. However, some poems are better kept to the less formal
stages of the funeral rites, either in the home or at the graveside.
The homily is given by the priest and should be prepared in consultation
with the family of the deceased. The homily is based on the scriptures and the
life of the departed in that he or she tried to live out the virtues of being a
Christian. The homilist by his words is also especially called to seek to bring
comfort and consolation to those bereaved. It is not to be a eulogy, which as a
form of an address focuses on the deceased and the achievements of the deceased.
The prayer of the faithful (general intercessions) call upon God to bring
comfort to those who mourn and to show mercy to the deceased. Members of the family
or friends of the deceased may also wish to participate in these prayers. If the
families compose them, clear guidelines on format should be given.
Lord, receive the gifts we offer to win peace and rest….
The gifts to be presented for the Eucharist are traditionally the bread
and wine. It is recommended that members of the family of the deceased bring these
to the altar. It is not appropriate at this stage of the Mass to bring up symbols
of the deceased’s past life. To do so is a confusion of the presentation of the
bread and wine, which become the Eucharist for us. Furthermore “gifts” are “given,”
not merely a “symbol” or gesture which are taken back at the end of the Mass. If
it is desired that suitable symbols associated with the interests or work of the
deceased be part of the funeral rites then they should be carried into the church
with the reception of remains.
The life and death of each of us has an influence on others
There are occasions when a member of the family may choose to speak to the
mourners. When and how this is done can vary according to local custom, and the
local practice of a diocese or parish should be respected. The funeral rites offer
a variety of stages from home to church to graveside. Some personal sentiments are
more appropriately spoken in the intimacy of the family home or funeral home. Other
words in the form of an oration would be better suited to the traditional location
of the graveside. The reception of the remains also provides an opportunity for a
member of the family to offer a few words of remembrance of the deceased and
acknowledgement to those who have supported the grief of the family. It should be
borne in mind that the Funeral Mass is primarily an act of praise of God; it would
therefore go against the spirit of the liturgy if it is perceived that a person’s
social status can directly influence the celebration of the liturgy. Nor would it
be appropriate to use the opportunity to insert into the celebration of the liturgy
contradictory sentiments that reflect a merely secular approach to the mystery of
death. If it is the local custom that a member of the family generally does speak
during the funeral rites in the church then certain conventions should be respected.
Only one family member should speak. It should be undertaken with the agreement of
the celebrant and the prepared text should be discussed with the celebrant at a
suitable time before the morning of the funeral. A separate microphone should be
used, rather than the ambo, which is reserved for the Word of God. The Funeral
Mass in the church is neither the appropriate occasion nor place to insert a
speech or eulogy. If there is a lack of clarity as to what is admissible, each
diocese will have guidelines, which will attempt to offer a balance, which will
respect the reverence due to the celebration of the Eucharist, and also be sensitive
to the feelings of those who mourn.
Sing with all the saints in glory
Music offers the community a way of expressing convictions and feelings
that words alone may fail to convey. Music has the capacity to uplift those who
are mourning and strengthens the assembly in faith and love and create a spirit
of hope. Music chosen for the funeral Mass should primarily be in praise and
thanksgiving to God. Non-liturgical music should not normally be used during
the Funeral Mass; if for a particular reason it is, then it should be chosen
with great care and should not contradict religious sentiments. The use of
taped music during the celebration of Mass is to be strongly discouraged as
it is an intrusion into the celebration of a living worshipping community. As
with other aspects of the funeral rites what may be considered fitting in the
intimacy of a home may come across as banal in the context of the public liturgy
of the Church.
For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and that it will be the same
for those who have died with Jesus
The very centre of the Christian funeral rites is the death and resurrection
of Christ. These rites are a faith expression and experience. Death is seen in that
faith perspective. When people ask for a Funeral Mass to be celebrated they are
expressing that faith message. In the funeral rites of a Christian we pray that
the divine life given to us in baptism may be brought to its fulfilment in eternal
glory. In celebrating a funeral we strive to bring consolation and hope to the
bereaved and pray that the dead may obtain God’s mercy and have eternal rest and
peace.
11 November 2003
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